If you’re at the point of receiving a contract from a wedding vendor, congratulations! However, it’s wise to see this as a step in the process, and not the sealing of a deal: some items in the contract may not match your previous conversations, and you want to know for sure what is going on before you sign on the dotted line. Here are a few considerations that will help you make a wise choice as you plan and book your venue, caterer, florist, and other vendors for your wedding.
Get Pricing and Fee Estimates in Writing
However odd this may seem, a contract isn’t just an explanation of each party’s rights?it’s also about the agreed-upon prices and any potential extra fees. Your vendors should be willing to spell out what kinds of set-up and tear-down fees they charge, who they will hire and for how much, and any other costs that are built in but not part of the overall price. Encourage them to price out everything, including taxes, so that you know what you are truly signing for. Scour the contract for any additional fees that you don’t understand. Negotiate to Hit Your Budget

When you see the budget, you often will have a bit of sticker shock, especially if you’d been considering the base rate and there were additional fees left to be calculated. Most vendors want your business, so see what you can do to negotiate on the price. Negotiation can involve skimming the actual product (such as having only one side dish rather than two wi...